An occasional listing covering bits and bobs about my various trips, climbing or otherwise, plus anything else that pops up. Feel free to add a comment or ask a question.

Saturday, 16 December 2006

Froggatt - mid-winter visit

December on Froggatt, little wonder we had the place pretty much to ourselves, I could have stopped at home but Graham is always keen for a bit of Grit. Trapeze Direct was the warm-up, the grade remains a bit of a puzzler, HS or VS, and 4b, 4c or 5a? Its as safe as they come though its a tricky pull with little for the feet. Chequers Arete (HVS 5a) was catching the sharp edge of the north-west wind, a true classic with superb positions and lovely balancy climbing. I have done it dozens of times and it is always worth the effort.Three Pebble Slab (HVS 5a) was a bit more sheltered, and the sun came out for a while, and then to finish with it was a quick trip up Nanoq Slab, a real rarity a Froggatt route that neither of us had done before! The grade in Eastern Grit is E3 5c, though I must be honest, I don't know where that came from, E1 5a is nearer the mark, and although a bit of a filler in we both enjoyed it.The sun was dipping fast so we rattled back down through the woods into the gathering gloom.

About Me

I started climbing in (about) 1965, and have spent the past 50+ years exploring the cliffs of the UK, Europe and North America.
After writing a selection of cliffs up for the BMC I approached Cicerone Press with an idea for a small guide to the Costa Blanca. Ten years later I hitched up to work with Alan James of RockFax and together we have produced a series of guidebooks that created quite a stir: Best job in the World, just possible!. I have won several awards, indeed Lofoten Rock won both the prestigious Banff Award and the OWPG Guidebook of the Year in 2008. More recently we have produced a new Western Grit, a Peak Limestone, a guide to the Ariège and a Costa Blanca. Eastern Grit (the 3rd) was published in early 2015 and was well received. Most recently has been a rewrite of the Award Winning Lofoten Rock - it looks rather good.